There are many natural stone flooring choices available today and each piece of stone is unique – no two pieces are ever identical. Each piece offers its own colouring, veining and natural characteristics like hardness and porosity. Some may vary in thickness and will not have a smooth surface or straight edge/corners. This all adds to the natural stone’s beauty and uniqueness.

Natural stone tiles are produced from slicing large boulders or slabs of rock into square or rectangle shaped tiles. The more common types of natural stone include slate, travertine, marble, granite, sandstone, and limestone.

SLATE: Often available in deep greens, blues, greys and purples, this natural stone has a matte surface and a branched pattern. Slate is best used for floors as it is very slip resistant.

TRAVERTINE: This stone favours a matte finish and offers warmth that other natural stone products don’t. This stone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcite and is softer than limestone. Travertine does have a tendency to scratch and stain due to its porous surface. Travertine is best used for floors, walls and showers.

MARBLE: The classic choice with a honed finish. Requires sealing/polishing. Best uses for marble is foyers, kitchens, bathrooms, or fireplaces.

GRANITE: One of the hardest natural stones available often flecked with bits of minerals that produce a salt and pepper look, and in some cases, form veins. Holds its shine beautifully, repels water and is difficult to scratch/stain. Best uses for granite are kitchens, bathrooms and hallways as well as fireplace surrounds and kitchen/bathroom countertops.

SANDSTONE: A metamorphic rock with mild colour variation and consistent tones. Sandstone is best used for kitchen floors, showers and bathtub surrounds.

LIMESTONE: Similar to travertine but harder as it has been hardened through time and tectonic action. Limestone often keeps is striations as it forms, making it look like wood. Limestone is best used for kitchen floors, entrance-ways and bathroom surfaces and does require sealing to prevent staining.

Consider installing in floor heating systems with your Natural Stone floor. It is energy efficient and can be controlled using a variety of thermostat options. You’ll love this feature on those cold snowy days.

It may be overwhelming when reviewing all the different types of natural stone choices and their characteristics. Our Nufloors flooring experts are here to help you select the right choice for your space.

Choosing natural stone.

There are many natural stone flooring choices available today and each piece of stone is unique – no two pieces are ever identical. Each piece offers its own colouring, veining and natural characteristics like hardness and porosity. Some may vary in thickness and will not have a smooth surface or straight edge/corners. This all adds to the natural stone’s beauty and uniqueness.

Natural stone tiles are produced from slicing large boulders or slabs of rock into square or rectangle shaped tiles. The more common types of natural stone include slate, travertine, marble, granite, sandstone, and limestone.

SLATE: Often available in deep greens, blues, greys and purples, this natural stone has a matte surface and a branched pattern. Slate is best used for floors as it is very slip resistant.

TRAVERTINE: This stone favours a matte finish and offers warmth that other natural stone products don’t. This stone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcite and is softer than limestone. Travertine does have a tendency to scratch and stain due to its porous surface. Travertine is best used for floors, walls and showers.

MARBLE: The classic choice with a honed finish. Requires sealing/polishing. Best uses for marble is foyers, kitchens, bathrooms, or fireplaces.

GRANITE: One of the hardest natural stones available often flecked with bits of minerals that produce a salt and pepper look, and in some cases, form veins. Holds its shine beautifully, repels water and is difficult to scratch/stain. Best uses for granite are kitchens, bathrooms and hallways as well as fireplace surrounds and kitchen/bathroom countertops.

SANDSTONE: A metamorphic rock with mild colour variation and consistent tones. Sandstone is best used for kitchen floors, showers and bathtub surrounds.

LIMESTONE: Similar to travertine but harder as it has been hardened through time and tectonic action. Limestone often keeps is striations as it forms, making it look like wood. Limestone is best used for kitchen floors, entrance-ways and bathroom surfaces and does require sealing to prevent staining.

Consider installing in floor heating systems with your Natural Stone floor. It is energy efficient and can be controlled using a variety of thermostat options. You’ll love this feature on those cold snowy days.

It may be overwhelming when reviewing all the different types of natural stone choices and their characteristics. Our Nufloors flooring experts are here to help you select the right choice for your space.

Benefits of natural stone.

Natural stone has become a feature that can add value to your home.

With regular maintenance, natural stone products are one of the most sustainable products on the market.

Durable for high foot traffic areas.

It is a timeless flooring option that never goes out of style.

Things to think about when buying natural stone.

Each type of natural stone is durable with it’s own unique qualities.

It is recommended that you work with a flooring expert to ensure you choose the right natural stone product for your particular space.

Natural stone is very porous and is susceptible to staining and as a result does require a regular sealing maintenance regime.

Natural stone is heavy and the weight of this flooring material needs to be supported by a strong and stable subfloor. If considering natural stone as a flooring choice you’ll need to check on your home structure.

Consider installing an in-floor heating system when your natural stone flooring is being installed. In-floor heating is considered a premium heating method and will add to the resale value of your home.

Natural Stone is sold by the square foot and not by individual tile.

Natural Stone floors are one of the longest lasting flooring products on the market today. Unlike carpet, vinyl, or laminate flooring which have to be replaced periodically, properly installed natural stone will last a lifetime and will add value to your home.

Keep extra Natural Stone tiles in storage – you may need them in the event you have to replace a natural stone tile due to a chip or crack.

A proper subfloor is required so there is no movement when installing Natural Stone on wood substrates. Otherwise, movement of a subfloor will cause cracking of natural stone or popping of grout. This applies also to concrete slabs where a proper membrane must be used to prevent cracking of natural stone tiles with the movement of the house during different seasons.

Some types of natural stone will require sealing on a regular maintenance schedule.

Natural stone pros and cons.

Incorporating natural stone into any room decor makes that room one-of-a-kind. Combining natural stone tile and slab types and sizes together can create a unique aesthetic in any room.

PROS of natural stone flooring

Durable and long lasting without fading.

Installing in-floor heating with Natural Stone is a wonderful option for those cold months.

Pet friendly flooring option.

Can be installed in basements.

CONS of natural stone flooring

Due to Natural Stone’s unique characteristics, the product you receive does not always look the same as the sample as each tile is inherently subject to variation in shadings and markings.

Natural Stone floors can be cold in winter months (but cool in summer!). Consider using in floor heating as an option when installing Natural Stone floors.

Ongoing resealing is required.

As Natural Stone floors are hard, it may not be the best choice for homes with small children or elderly family members.

The natural stone buying process.

Visit our showroom and our sales associates will help you select the perfect flooring for your home. Bring swatches of furniture fabrics, draperies, bedspreads, wallpaper and paint that will remain in the room. You will probably want to bring samples home with you to see how it looks in your décor.

Before you visit us, consider drawing a simple outline of the room indicating:

Room Exits – are there any exits to the outside? Are there patio doors?

Adjoining room floors – what types of flooring will flow into this room? What are the colours?

Sunlight and other lighting – how much natural light comes in during the day, from what direction?

Rough measurement – measure the length and width of the room – include closets.

Our sales associates may ask you:

Is there light or heavy traffic in this room?

What is the room used for?

Do you want a casual, formal or somewhere in between look?

Do you have children or pets?

Do you have a certain colour in mind?

Is there a style you’ve owned or seen that you really like?

Nufloors will provide a free in home measure/estimate. We will determine exactly how much flooring you will need to buy and will determine the layout of the flooring in the room, where the seams will be placed (if applicable), and will review pattern matches if applicable. At this time, we will determine if your sub-floor is structurally sound or if repairs / replacement will be required.

If you decide to purchase from us (and we hope that you will!) we will schedule the installation and will prepare you for what to expect on installation day, such as who removes the old flooring, who moves the furniture and electronics, etc., who handles the door trimming (if required), will it be necessary to remove the moldings? Our installers are skilled, but not in electrical or plumbing work. They may be able to help with moving appliances but will not be able to disconnect/reconnect gas, water or direct-wired appliances.

Natural stone care.

Download our Natural Stone Floor Care Guide for tips on how to maintain your natural stone and clean up spills.

Natural stone care.

Download our Natural Stone Floor Care Guide for tips on how to maintain your natural stone and clean up spills.